Social Justice Articles

Volume II

Engaged Psychology: Past, Present, Prospectsby Craig Chalquist, PhD"As a
post-mechanistic worldview comes into focus, the diversity of ways of knowing the world moves into the forefront of engagement. Scientific projects purporting to be the only valid method for
discovering truth or reality degenerate from scientific to scientistic, from conscious inquiry into unconscious religiosity. Engaged psychologies move the emphasis from the worship of measurable
proof—what ecologist Stephen Harding refers to as “quantificationitis” (2006, p. 31)—to the crafting of substantiation through multiple perspectives and knowledge sources, including those
dismissed as merely “anecdotal.” Without the stories behind them the facts mean little; nor will having more of them change the need for new stories about how to live with ourselves and each
other on a warming Earth."

"Alexander Schauss conducted one of the first prison studies that correlated quality food with good behavior. He worked within several California prisons
educating incarcerated youth about their nutritional needs by informing them about the negative physiological and emotional effects of a diet high in sugar and milk. He worked from within the
prison system to change the snacks available in the vending machines, and provided prisoners with ample vitamin and mineral supplementation. As a result, prisoners were calmer, violence was
reduced, and recidivism rates dropped significantly."